Anyone find they play better on less expensive guitars?

[BloodRose]

This may have been discussed before. If so, Im sorry. I did a search and didn't find anything, but may not have put the right key words in..

Anyhow.... I'm mature and smart enough to know that an upscale guitar isn't going to instantly make you a better player. However, it's nice to have good tools. And yes, crap guitars can hinder your progress. But there are a bunch of well made, reasonably priced guitars out there now. Now, to the point of the thread.. Lately, it almost seems to me, that I play better on my lower end guitars. For example, I have created more riffs and songs and played things that are beyond my usual wonky level using my EPI lp vs my Gibson. I don't know if I'm having a mind screw, or if it's true.. So I wanted to ask if anyone else has noticed anything similar??

I think it's because when I play one of the more expensive guitars, I get intimidated. ?? Thinking this is a pro level guitar and I'm not worthy and then it stymies me. Where as when I play a "lesser" one, my mind frees up, either cuz I feel it's more on my level, or because mentally, I think I have to play better to compensate, and I do. I know that by buying nicer gear isn't going to make me a better player, but hoped that it would encourage or give me incentive to progress. But seems to be backwards for me..

I know this may sound ridiculous, but it seems to be happening to me. So I wanted to see if anyone else experiences this and if so, has any advice on over coming it?? And NO, Im not giving away my better guitars.
But honestly, if this keeps up, I may consider selling them.

Thanks for reading my babble...

 

[BriGuy1968]

Re: Anyone find they play better on less expensive guitars?

I don't know... never had an expensive guitar! I've often wondered if having one would help me progress, but never had the available liquidity to justify one. :dunno:

 

[blakejcan]

Re: Anyone find they play better on less expensive guitars?

You need to get over it and treat your expensive guitars like your cheap ones....as tools

It's not easy to free it up and have fun when you're worried about a scratch and resale value

 

[Darg1911]

Re: Anyone find they play better on less expensive guitars?

Nah, I play them all ... poorly. Got some nerve damage and some days are better than others but, unfortunately, there isn't a particular guitar that makes for a better day. Honestly, it probably depends more on the neck, assuming the set-up is good. And even then, it's pretty subtle. More a matter of comfort. I don't have any high dollar guitars either, but I do have a few good players.

 

[Little Pigbacon]

Re: Anyone find they play better on less expensive guitars?

I'm tense just about every time I pick up my one high-end guitar, a sunburst Jackon that I bought new and is still like new. I'm afraid of putting a ding on it. I almost wish it were uglier so I wouldn't mind so much. Most of my other guitars have proper idiot marks on them, and I'm a lot more relaxed with them.

I blame translucent finishes, actually. I think they look dreadful with scratches on them, whereas a solid, opaque color just carries it better. The way I see it, a solid-color finish is just a jacket the guitar is wearing. But a translucent visible-grain finish is the guitar. I'm going with that. I was a lot more relaxed with the industrial JEM and the Shoreline Gold Lonestar Strat I used to have.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Anyone find they play better on less expensive guitars?

I play whatever makes the right noise or facilitates the necessary finger moves for the current piece of music.

 

[Snake Aces]

Re: Anyone find they play better on less expensive guitars?

I play well on a well-setup guitar period.

 

[vinta9e]

Re: Anyone find they play better on less expensive guitars?

If the thought of your pricy guitar getting dirty or scratched up feels uncomfortable, sell the ax. Guitars shall set free not enslave.

 

[kramersteen]

Re: Anyone find they play better on less expensive guitars?

My most expensive guitars are mij charvels/ibanez. Considering they go for anywhere from 200 to 800 i think i am in the cheapo category.

 

[Snake Aces]

Re: Anyone find they play better on less expensive guitars?

If the thought of your pricy guitar getting dirty or scratched up feels uncomfortable, sell the ax. Guitars shall set free not enslave.

Amen

 

[Snake Aces]

Re: Anyone find they play better on less expensive guitars?

My most expensive guitars are mij charvels/ibanez. Considering they go for anywhere from 200 to 800 i think i am in the cheapo category.

What about Shinobi? That's no cheapo IMO

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: Anyone find they play better on less expensive guitars?

I play well on a well-setup guitar period.

If the thought of your pricy guitar getting dirty or scratched up feels uncomfortable, sell the ax. Guitars shall set free not enslave.

I agree on both accounts. I was nervous about my Martin for a while, but I realized the point of a guitar is to make music, so I got over it pretty quickly. I could also see the same thing about a Gibson historic. Maybe that's the secret to relic Fenders, you don't feel intimidated you might scratch it.

 

[kramersteen]

Re: Anyone find they play better on less expensive guitars?

What about Shinobi? That's no cheapo IMO

Its sentimental value is through the roof. haha

Honestly if it went on my hourly rate that guitar would be worth over 6000. Thats getting paid for smokeo breaks as well. haha

 

[Snake Aces]

Re: Anyone find they play better on less expensive guitars?

Its sentimental value is through the roof. haha

Honestly if it went on my hourly rate that guitar would be worth over 6000. Thats getting paid for smokeo breaks as well. haha

I don't know what your hourly rate is but in my mind I had envisioned right around a $5000 price tag for a guitar like that, maybe more if I loved it even more after playing it!

 

[kramersteen]

Re: Anyone find they play better on less expensive guitars?

I don't know what your hourly rate is but in my mind I had envisioned right around a $5000 price tag for a guitar like that, maybe more if I loved it even more after playing it!

You will drop in now im just having my morning coffee and 500k cts pot:laughing:

 

[beaubrummels]

Re: Anyone find they play better on less expensive guitars?

I play better on a guitar that plays better.

 

[crusty philtrum]

Re: Anyone find they play better on less expensive guitars?

Just get one dent or scratch on your expensive guitar(s). After that, you won't worry any more, and will be able to play them just as if they're one of your cheaper instruments. That first dent or scratch will hurt for a little while, but after that, you realise it set you free.

 

[Little Pigbacon]

Re: Anyone find they play better on less expensive guitars?

If the thought of your pricy guitar getting dirty or scratched up feels uncomfortable, sell the ax. Guitars shall set free not enslave.

Thanks for the advice, but I'll figure out my own way. It's my mental block to get over, and selling the guitar will not address the real problem.

 

[Edgecrusher]

Re: Anyone find they play better on less expensive guitars?

Ive always had the odd luck that within the first 2 hours of play time on a new guitar without fail I will ding it... and once that happens its game on. To me a guitar unplayed is useless.

There is nothing at all better than a finely made instrument that has been played and worn to my hands.

 

[Snake Aces]

Re: Anyone find they play better on less expensive guitars?

You will drop in now im just having my morning coffee and 500k cts pot:laughing:

Haha! Nice